Utensil washing machine



Sept-'19, 1944- A H. HABERsTuMP 2,353,507

` UTBNSIL WASHING MAQHINE Y Filed llay 2. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1lNv'EN-ron Y ALFRED H. HABERSTU/AP Sept. 19, 1944. A H. HABl-:RsruMPuTBnsIL WASHING ummm Filed lay 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sep*- 19, 1944.A. H.' HABERsTuMP 2,358,507

UTENSIL wAsgING mams Filed lay 2, 41938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 "J mvENToRALrRaD- H. ABERSTu/AP sept. 19, 1944.

A. H. HABERSTUMP UTENSIL wAsHlNG MACHINE Filed may 2, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ALFRED H." HABERSTU/AP Mk1/L MY u y A H.HABRS'TUMP .2,358,507

UTENSIL WASHING MAGHINE #sept-119, 1944.

Filed May 2. 1938 5 sheets-sheet 5 mvENToR ALFRED H. means-wmp PatentedSept.- A19, 1944 UNITI-:D i STATES PATENT OFFICE esserci y I l llmrApplication May 2. 193s, serial N. 205,433

A11 claims (c1. 141-9) This invention relates to washing machines. Oneof the objects of the invention is the provision of a washing machinewhich is compact in its arrangement,`simple in construction, iseiilcient in operation, and is capable oi operating continuously,Athereby making it especially suit- Flg. 4 is across sectlonalplan viewtaken on line l-I of Fig. l.

Flg.r5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figs. 3 and 4.

able for household uses and is readily adaptable to industrial orcommercial uses.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a washing machinewhich washes, rinses and dries articles placed therein and delivers themto a convenient point for unloading.

Another object of the invention is the provi- Fig. 6 is a perspectiveview of the article con-4 tainer or retainer showing connecting linkchain between the container or retainer and chain.

Fig. 7 is across sectional view taken on line l-l' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is `a cross sectional view taken thru l-8 0f Fig. 3.

sion of a washing machine in which the articles are fully accessible tothe washing', rinsing and drying means, and' are subjected tothe directspray oi the wash and rinse liquids, eliminating the necessary stackingof the articles as employed lids which, when closed, form a work surfacewhile the machine is either running oridle.

Another object of the invention is the provisionof a washing, rinsingand drying machine which is continuous in operation and in which thearticle containers are halted and travel at a slower rate of speed thruthe loading and unload- Referring tothe drawings, which illustratespreferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. l is a cross sectional iront view of the .invention taken on lineI-I of Fig. 2 with the portion 82 of the panel 38 removed.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional side view taken on Fig. 3 is a partial crosssectional'fro'nt view control of iloat valve and drai valve and positionot drying fan. l

Fig. 9 is a partial cross lsectional view taken I on line 9 9 of Fig. lof pump.

'I'he drawings illustrate a washing machine which is adapted to receivearticles to be washed, rinsed and dried and is provided with means forconveyance of the articles thru the wash, rinse and drying zones incontinuous operation for an indefinite period of time.

vThe articles to be washed may be loaded thru the opening provided andunloaded thru the same opening after passing thru the washing, rinsingvand drying zones. Ii.' they are not thoroughly cleansedk after'passingthru one cyclec they may be left to complete a second cycle. It lspossible to cleanse large quantities of articles because of the flexiblenature of the Invention.

Inner tank As shown, the wasiung machine consists of an inner tank I0and an outer cabinet orcover panel II which rest upon a `rectangularbase structure I2. 'l'he inner tank commises two end panels taken withparts removed to show operation and I2 and Il and two side panels l5andl which are secured together at their edges to form a water tighttank.l The bottom I1 of the inner tank is secured to the four loweredges of the end panels I3 and Maud the side panels' I5 and I6 in suchmanner as to provide water ,tight ioints. The bottom panel I1 is formedupward at I8 and .Il and then angularly upward and joined at the 'center2U.

' The bottom panel IT is provided with otlsets at 2| and 22 so that itwill rest squarely upon the anges and 2l oi' the outer cabinet Il andthe flanges 25 and 2i of the base I2. The vertical surfaces Il and Ilandthe top surface 2l of the ,bottom panel I'I forma partition between thewashing liquid 'tank 21 and .the rinsing liquid tank 2l and also providespace in which is mounted the motor 29 and pumps 8|.

The top edge or the inner tank Il is ilanged inwardly at II and upwardlyat l2 vto provide for a sealing element $3. The inward ilange 3| andvupwardange 32 and the sealing element 33 contank tinue completely aroundthe top of the inner A baille 288 extends from front to back and issupported'by rivets 28| on the panels I8 and I8. Slots in the downwardlyturned flanges provide easy means for removing the baille for access'when` cleaning. This baille serves to prevent liquids from being sprayedthru the loading space.

Outer cabinet flanges 28 and 28 of the base I2. The side panels 88 and81 are likewise formed at right angles providing flanges 88 and 88 whichrest upon the flanges 48 and 4| of the base |2. The top edges of the endpanels '84 and 88 are formed inwardly at 42 and 48 thence upwardly at 44and 48 and then horizontally inward, forming a portion of the top of thecabinet 48 and 41. The surfaces 48 and 41 of the outer cabinet II areformed vertically downward providing flanges 48 and 48 to which thehinges 88 and 8| are secured.

The side panels 88 and 81 are formed'horizontaliy inward at 88 and 8|and then downward at 82 and 88. The surfaces 82 and 88 are formedoutwardly at 84 and 88 and extend completely lacross the front and backsides of the cabinet as shown in Fig. l. These flanges 84 and 88 serveas a guiding means for the article container brackets 88 and prevent anyswinging motion oi'- containers 81 when the articles are being loadedinto or unloaded from the said containers.

The doors 82 and 88 are secured to the hinges 88 and 8| thru the flanges84 and 88 by riveting or welding or any suitable means and complete thework surface or top of the outer cabinet. when in closed position. asindicated by the solid lines. The doors 82 and 88 are also ilangedvertically downward at 88 and 81 to give strength and appearance to theconstruction. When loading or unloading the articles, the doors 82 and88 are thr'own open as shown by the dotted line positions 88 and 88.'I'he 'doors in this position serve as a resting place for the articlesaccumuiat-ed when loading and unloading` The ton portions 48 and 41 ofthe end panels 84 and 88 are formed downwardly `at 88, overlapping thevertical flange 88 of the side panels 88 and 81. as shown ln Fig. 8. Thefront panel 88 and back panel 81 are providedwith openings nr louvres 84and 88 thru which air is circulated for drying the articles as they passby. carried hv the article containers. Any suitable insulatoi thecabinet. The two chains 18 and 18 are precisely the same length and thelinks 18 are secured to the chain by the rivets 11 at predetermineddistances and opposiiely disposed, providing the proper spacing forefficient operation and utilization of the space.

The chains are retained by the sprockets 8|, 82 and 88 which are inpairs and oppositely disposed on the front and rear-sides of thecabinet. The sprockets 8| and 88 are arranged in a zigzag positionacross the top, causing the chains 18 and 18 to follow a zigzag pathwhile the 4containers follow a substantially horizontal path s definedand supported by the guides 14 and 18.

The links 18 continually drive the containers but due to the dividedpaths the containers move at a varying rate of speed across the top andare entirely interrupted at some points thereof. The sprockets 8| aremounted on studs 81 and the sprockets 88 are mounted on studs 88 whichare rigidly secured to the front panel I8 and the rear panel I8 of theinner tank |8in such a manner as to permit freeA rotation when the chainis motivated by the driver sprockets 82. The driver sprockets 82 aresecured to the inner ends of the shafts 88 by set screws. The shafts 88extend thru-suitable bearings which are secured to the inner panels I8and |8. The sprockets 88 are secured to the ends of the. shafts 88 bymeans of set screws and lie between the outer panels 88 and 81 and theinner panels I8 and I8." Two drive chains 82 connect the sprockets 88 tothe sprockets` 88 which are secured to thel f path defined by thechannels on .the sides and ing material '88 is secured tothe vinnersurfaces I of the outer cabinet panels 84, 88. 88 and 81 by means ofcement and serves to prevent escape of heat and noise. The front panel88 is provided Conoeyer system .The article convever systelnis comprisedof a multiplicity of wire containers or baskets 81 suspended by'means ofbrackets 88 at each side which are'carried by rollers 18 and pins 1|.`The bottom and the top guides 14 and 18 at the top. The countershaft 84,Fig. 4, is driven by the gears 88, 88, 81, 88, 88 and |88. The gear 88is secured to the shaft 84 with a set screw ||l|l and meshes with thegear 88. Gears 88 and 81 are rigidly secured together and are free torotate are assembled to the one end and the pump 88 rollers travel inthe U shaped channel elements to the other end.

Tire conveyer chains pass over a pair of lower sprockets 88 and over thetops of a pair of upper sprockets 88 for producing an interruptedmovement of the containers. As the links, pivoted to the chains andcontainers, move along the straight line from the lower to the uppersprockets 88 the forward movement of the containers is interrupted andthe containers will move backwardly a slight amount as 'the linkcontinueslts upward movement over the upper sprockets 88. The containersin. this. manner are retained in substantially stationary position for aperiod of time near the .opening provided in the top of the cabinet. Itwill Y be further noted that the containers are retained channelelements 12 and 18 at the front and rear 18 in vertical position at alltimes as they are moved zles and across the loading and unloadingopening in the top of the cabinet.

It is to be understood that the word container,"

wherever used, is to mean any device or means suitable for holding thearticles to be washed.

Transmission. and pump The motor 29 is preferably mounted on a suitablesupport |04 which rests on the intumed flanges 39 and 39 of the sidepanels. The motor may be any suitable means for supplying power, butpreferably the ordinary electrical motor will be considered as the abovemeans described. The motor is provided with a base and is secured to thesupport |04 with bolts |05. Wires |90 and |9| are provided andadapted toconnect to suitable electrical sockets and controlled by a switch |92located on the front oftohe cabinet.

The pump assembly 30 is of dual construction and consists of threecastings forming the housing, and two impellers which are secured on theextended motor shaft by means of set screws.A The inner housing |01 isrecessed to receive the impeller |08 and isprovided with an inlet |89and therein toprovide ingress of the solution from the tank to the pump.The outlet is connected to the tube ill which conveys the liquid to thespraysystem. The housing is further provided with a recess at the endtoward the motor. This recess is concentric vwith and encompasses .the

shaft; providing suitable space for a sealing element H2. The sealingelement is pressed into close relation to the motor shaft by the nut ||3and may be adjusted to prevent leakage of' the pump liquid around theshaft. 'I'he center partition ||4 of. the pump forms the outer wall ofthe wash liquid pump and the inner wall of the rinse liquid pump. Theouter housing I I5 in combination with thelcenter portion ||4 forms thecomplete housing for the rinse liquid pump. Suitable gaskets i8 areplaced betweenthe outer and inner housings andthe center portion of thepump to insure against leakage of the pump housing. The f outer housing||5 is provided with an inlet ||1 andan outlet i8. The inlet issecuredto the rinse solution `tank 28 and is mated with an aperture thetank to the pump. The outlet ||8 is con-4 nected to a tube ||9 whichconveys the liquid to the spray system. The inner housing is further-therein to provide ingress of the solution from provided with a supportbase |20 which is se- K cured to the support |04 by any suitable means.but preferably bolts |2|. Although a preferred design of pump is hereindescribed, it is to `be understood that any suitable dual pump orcombination of separate pumps may be used.

Spray system The spray system consists of two. series ofpipes and spraynozzles, one furnishing wash solution from the tank 21 andthe otherfurnishing a rinse liquid from the rinse tank 28. The tube conveying thewash'solution extends horizontallyl at nected to -the tube and extendsAangularly across the back and thence horizontally forward at |29 and|30.- Spraynozzles |21 are connected 75 3 at predetermined distances tothe tubes |29 and |30 and directed to spray at diagonally opposed`angles and causing wash solution to be sprayed at the under side of thearticles as they pass in the conveyer containers.

Tube H9, Fig. 4, which conveys the rinse liquid is likewise extendedhorizontally toward the rear, thense upwardly at |3|, horizontallyacross the back at |32, thence horizontally forward at |33 withextending nozzles |94 directed angularly downward. A pipe |34, Fig. l,is connectedto the pipe I9 and extends horizontally to the left at theback, thence horizontally forward at |35 and also is provided withnozzles |94 directed angularly upu ward. The tubes '|35 and |33 andconnecting tubes and nozzles constitute .the rinse spray systemsupplying av rinse spray from the tank 28 thru means of the rinseside ofthe pump 30.

It will be noted that the liquid, from both the wash and rinse nozzleswill be sprayed against the utensils and fall upon the drain panelv |40,

and directed thru the openings |4| and |42. then vthru the filters anddrain screens |43 and |44 and flanges are slotted to enable the removalby merelylifting the drain panel upward.

Drainy screen l The drain screens |43 andl |44 are secured to the bottomof rectangular flanged, drawer shaped containers |45 and |46- Filters|41and' |43 are placed upon the screen in the bottom of the drain 'screenassembly and serve as a sanitary and desirable means of disposing ofrefuse filtered from the wash and rinse liquid. When the utensils havebeen'washed,v rinsed and dried, the illtersl are taken from the drainscreens and disposed of `and replaced by new ones. Paper filters whichare inexpensive are preferred, but it is to be understood that fabric orother materials may be used without departing from the scope of theinventio'n. If fabric or other suitable flltars are used they@ can beremoved, cleansed and replaced. The

drain screen assemblies are removed thru the openings '|36 and |31 ofthe front panel 35 for cleaning. Suitable handles '|49 and |50 aresecured to the front of the drain screen retainers for the purpose ofremoval. Guides |5| and |52 are secured to the drain panel |40 forsupporting thel drain screen assemblies.

, Lqmdepntmz' l y The inlet valve |53 is secured to the back wall I5 ofthe inner tank I0 thru an aperture |54-.and`

is held in place by means of a nut |55.` Avgasket |56 servesto-preventleakage around the aperture |54. A pipe'i51, preferably connected to thehot water system, is fitted into the valve at |58 and supplies water tothe tank 28. It is apparent that when the tank is empty the float- |59will drop and open Ithe orifice i and permitwater to enter the tank dueto the pressure of the water system.

A stud |5| is secured to the top` of the oat and extends thru anaperture in the control rod |52. `A collar |63 is secured to the topoi'the vstud |8| at .spaced relationship to the float, permitting apredetermined movement of the float relative to the control rod |32V Alever: |54 is rigidly secured to the float stud |8| .and pivotally'ccnnected to a lug |85 of the valve |53 by means of a pin I, A screw|51 is threaded into a projecting lug |88 of the lever |84 and engagesthe valve stem |88. I'he valve stem is provided with a sealing element|1l which prevents passage of the liquid when the iloat is in raisedposition as shown in Fig. 5. A spring |1| is positioned to urge thevalve stem to open position when the iloat drops below the water levelline.

Referring to Fig. 3 an arm |12 is connected to the control rod |82 byinsertion thru a hole in the' end of said arm and is held in position bypins |13. The `other end of the arm is pivotally secured to the wall ofthe inner tank by means of a rivet |14. Intermediate oi the ends of thearm, the drain valve stem |18 is pivotally connected by means of the pin|16. A sealing means |11 is rigidly connected to the lower end of thevalve stem and is positioned to seat in a correspondingly shapedaperture, to prevent egress of the liquid thru the drain valve when thesealing means |11 is in its lowered position as shown in Fig. 3. Thesealing means |11 is acted upon by the spring |18 tending to i'orce saidsealing means to closed position. The valve housing |19 is constructedwith an inlet |88 which is connected to the wash tank by means of a pipe|8| and a second inlet |82 which v is connectedto the rinse tank bymeans of a pipe |88. The opening |88 is provided and is preferablyconnected to any convenient drain system 'and carries the liquid fromboth ythe wash and rinse tanks to said drain system. A heating element|88 is provided to increase or maintain temperature of the rinse liquid.The control rod |82 is extended upward along the inner wall of the tankand is connected to a control handle |88 by means oi' an arm |85 andstud v|88 which extend thru to the outside of the cabinet. A tube |81extends thru the vertical walls i8 and I8 of 'the inner tank. -A valve|88 of the type which permits the liquid to' flow only in onedirection-namely, from the rinse to the wash tanks is connected to i theend of the tube |81 at the wash liquid side.

Drying system a mi m. ma, 2 ands, a widened directly behind the louvres84 oi' the front panel and is driven by means of an electric motor orany other suitable means and serves to circulate relatively dry airfrom'outside the cabinet thru the iouvres 84 and across the articles asthey pass in the containers. thereby removing the droplets of liquidandcausing the articles to be dried. Louvres 8l are provided in the backpanel directly opposite tothe louvres 88 and provide means i'or the airto A heating coil ill may be placed be- `tween theI ian and the articlesto be dried, causing ill- Aia shifted from the position as shown indotted lines Fig. 3 to position as shown by solid ,lines (|84) whichcauses the control rod |82 to drop. The float |88 is thereby releasedallowing the liquid to enter the valve illwhich is thereby u opened. Theliquid iiows thru the port |68 and the' valve outlet ,|83 into the rinsetank 28. The release of the control rod |82a,lso operates the arm |12and the valve |18 to close the drain openings in both the wash and rinsetanks. When the liquid has risen to the level of the tube |81 it flowsthru said tubeuntil the wash tank 21 is illled and the liquid in therinse tank rises to a point slightly 75 supporting means, means forguiding the conhigher, raising the iloat and closing the inlet valve.The control switch |82- is then turned on causing the conveyers 18 and18 and the containers 61 to travel the predetermined path within thecabinet and the pumps to circulate the liquid fromboth tanks thru thespray system. The articles to be washed are placed in the two containersat the top oi' the machine, Fig, 1, and in each successive container asit passes the opening at the top of the cabinet. The containers pass tothe right and then down the right side of the machine where a washliquid (such as soap and water) is sprayed upon the articles fromdiilerent angles by the spray nozzles |21, which are located to theright of the center line of the machine. The wash liquid drains from thearticles back into the wash tank 21 and continues to recirculate thruthe wash liquid system. The articles continue across the bottom oi' themachine, passing to the left and upward wherethey receive a spray rinsefrom the nozzles |94. As they pass the fan |88, Fig. 3, the water isblown` from the articles causing them to dry. 'I'he heat from the hotliquid which is ordinarily used also facilitates the drying. When thecontainers reach the opening at the top thearticles are removed andother articles are replaced for continued washing. It is apparent thatcontinuous washing for an indeilnite Vtime is possible merely byremoving the cleansed articles from the containers and placing others tobe washed while the containers are stationary at orare slowly passingthe opening at the top of the machine. To further facilitate the loadingand unloading of the machine the novel arrangement of chains and linkscauses the containers to move at a slower rate of speed while passingthe opening at vthe top at certain points in which the movement isinterrupted. When the articles have been washed the control handle |84is shifted to the position I8I-A as indicated by the dotted lines,causingl the control rod to hold the iioat inv closed position, andopening the drain valve |18, to empty the tanks. The control switch isthen operated to stop the motor .What is claimed is: 1. In a washingmachine; a conveyer, means for -driving said conveyer, means for guidingsaid conveyer in a predetermined path, means forguiding said conveyer ina zig-zag path, 'a plu- .rality o f containers; means connecting saidcontainers tosaid conveyer to follow said predetermined path whilemaintained in a vertical position, and means for guiding said containersin a horizontal path while being maintained in a vertical position assaid conveyer is guided in said zig-zas path while slowly advancing saidcontainers.

A 2. In a washing machine; a conveyer, means for-driving said conveyer,means for guiding said conveyer in a predetermined path, means forguiding said conveyer in a zig-zag path, a piurality of containers,means connecting said containers to said conveyer to follow saidpredetermined path, and means for guiding said containers in adiii'erent path than said conveyer as said conveyer is guided in saidzig-zag path while slowly advancing said conveyers, and means forretaining said containers against swinging movement when moving in saiddierent path.

3. In a dish washing machine,` a central baille. washing and rinsingnozzles disposed beneath said baule.' a series of containers, supportingmeans -for said containers to which the containers are permanentlyattached, means for driving said tainers in a U-shaped path along thesides and across the bottom of the machine, and means arresting theadvancement of the containers at the top of the machine while thesupporting means continues to advance.

4; In a dish washing machine, a central baille, Washing and rinsingnozzles disposed beneath said baille, a series of containers, supportingmeans for said containers to which the containers are,

permanently attached, means including a motor for driving saidsupporting means, means for guiding the containers in a U-shaped pathalong the sides and across the bottom of the machine,

` and means reducing the speed of the advancement of the containers atthe top of the machine while the supporting means continues to advance,a central compartment in the bottom of the machine containing thedriving motor, said central compartment forming a reservoir at eitherside thereof for rinse and wash water respectively.

.5. In a dish Washing machine, a tank, inwardly of said tank, continuouschains disposed in said channels, means for driving said chains, linkson said chains, containers permanently supported tainers permanentlyattached to said chain,v

means for driving said chain and containers, and means for reducing theadvancement of said containers along a straight path while the chain isadvancing alongsaid zig-zag path.

8. In a dish washingmachine, conveyer means, means for driving saidconveyer means at a constant rate of speed, a plurality of supportingelemeans over a portion of the travel thereof, and

' presenting U-shaped channels at opposite sides means for interruptingthe movement of said supporting elements as said conveyer meanscontinues to move at said constant rate of speed, and Washing nozzlesdirected over said supporting eley ments in that portion of the path ofmovement in which the supporting elements travel with the conveyermeans.

9. In a conveyer system, conveying means, a pluralityof baskets, linkspivoted to said baskets and. to said conveying means 'with the basketssupported in carrying position, means for directing each. basket whilemaintained in carrying position along a predetermined straight path asit is moved there along by said conveying means, means for directingsaid conveying means and one end ofthe link along a diverging path whichreduces the speed of movement of the other. end of the link and thebasket relative to that of the conveying means, and means for drivingsaid conveying means at a constant speed.

10. In a conveyer system, a pair of spaced conveyer chains, a plurality.of elements, links permanently pivoted to said elements and said chainsfor supporting said elements in carrying position,

means for guiding said chains in a predetermined v y I' the elementsalong said straight path,

'7. In a conveyer system, a pair of spaced chains,

means for guiding said chains in a U-shaped path, additional means forguiding said chains in a serpentine path acrosslthe end of the legs ofsaid U-shaped path, containers on said chains mounted .to be retained ina vertical position, means guiding said containers to follow the U-shaped path of said chains, and means for advancing said containers at areduced speed along a straight path while retained in a vertical.position as said chains are passing over said serpentine path at ahigher speed.

relative to that of the conveying means, and

1l. In a conveyer systemLconveying means, a

plurality of elements, intermediate means connecting said elements tosaid conveying means in such manner as to permit the elements tobothpivot and move independently of the conveying means as theyaredriven thereby, means for directing each element, while maintainedagainst pivotal movement, along a predetermined straight path as it ismoved therealong by said conveying means, means for simultaneouslydirecting said conveying means along a diverging path which reduces thespeedA of movement of the element means for driving said conveying meansat a

